( Quebec City, October 23, 2012 )

I joined the NDP in 2003 as it was the only party in Canada that had the moral courage to denounce the blockade imposed upon the entire civilian population of Iraq. This criticism was also supported by the UN and UN agencies, but the US and UK were able to maintain the blockade (1990-2003) via the UN Security Council.

The situation concerning the NDP now is much worse then I could have imagined. I have tried, for a few years now, to simply have MPs recognize that the mere words "blockade" and "Gaza" have not been spoken by the NDP for years now. I politely and publicly urged the NDP to, at some point, in some way, denounce the blockade of Gaza. Nothing more.

I am not even asking, at all, for a clearer stance on the occupation quagmire nor to take sides (ie. as an external actor, our role is to bring peace, not take a side as such). Beyond the occupation and other issues, the international community is united in the call to stop a blockade imposed upon a civilian population. It is recognized as an act of war amounting to collective punishment and the UNICEF has often denounced the situation. Whereas NDP members know this and agree, the NDP caucus has refused, for years now, to denounce the blockade of Gaza at some point or in some way.

It is strange and mindboggling. My simple demand that the NDP remind the people and government of Canada, once a year, about the ongoing blockade of Gaza is met with odd reactions from MPs in Quebec. I am seen as a bad member who dares criticize his party publicly. The situation has reached an extreme level of absurdity, with odd rationalizations from MPs and their employees to explain the silence. After many years, where I expressed this simple demand and criticism, only once or twice a year, I must conclude that the silence on this issue is a voluntary and objective fact.
 
Since being a member seems to signify for many that I should only criticize publicly other parties, I will cancel my membership as of today. This is not a sudden decision. I have discussed this issue for years within the NDP, but any public criticism is not well met.

Mr Manly's action, and my own action of leaving, were made necessary after years of total silence and denial. I have never received any message of understanding, or even an expression of care for the civilian population of Gaza. This has been made apparent once more, as the NDP spokeperson only asked Israel to treat with respect Mr. Manly and asked that both sides show restraint. Not a word about the blockade.

I do not serve any party or government; I only wish to serve the dignity and human rights of all people.* Somehow, oddly, I have been made to feel I cannot do this as a member of a political party.

- Michaël Lessard

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* which of course includes denouncing crimes committed against people in Israel.